RELIGION IN RUSSIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20952, 15 February 1930, Page 13

RELIGION IN RUSSIA

CAMPAIGN OF PERSECUTION. DEEP CONCERN IN BRITAIN. QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. (British Official ’Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) .RUGBY, February 13, The Foreign Secretary (Mr Arthur Henderson) was asked in the House of Commons by Mr G. Locker-Lampson (the former Conservative Under-secre-tary for Foreign Affairs) whether he would take immediate steps under article 11 of the Covenant of the League of Nations to bring before the League the question of conditions affecting religious liberty in Russia. Mr Henderson replied; “The reports which are current regarding the religious situation in Russia have caused widespread and deep concern in this and other countries, and are receiving the serious consideration of his Majesty’s Government. I have grave doubts whether the course suggested by Air Locker-Lampson would promote the object which he has in view, but the House may rest assured that his Majesty’s Government will, when possible or compatible with the interests of those affected, use all its influence in support of the cause of religious liberty and freedom -of religious practice.” Replying to a further question, Mr Henderson said he was now awaiting a report from the British representatives in Russia on the religious situation.

HOUSE OF LORDS DISCUSSION. RUGBY, February 13. In the House of Lords Lord Hayter (Con.) asked whether the Government had called the attention of the Soviet Government to the fact that its action against the Christian churches and peoples of Russia, was hot' in aoqord with the British principle of justice and could not assist in maintaining friendship between Great Britain rind Russia. ■ '

The Archbishop of Canterbury said this matter concerned him directly, both officially and personally. He referred to the solemn protest against religious persecution in Russia which he made at the Convocation of Canterbury yesterday in the name of the Church of England and to the resolution of the bishops endorsing that protest. He added, however, that the bishops desired -to dissociate the protest from the more politic issues which had been made. They felt that the force of their protest in the name of religion and humanity would be greater if it could not be regarded as part of any political movement. Lord Parmoor, replying for the Government, said he would not seek to deny the great importance of -the question. It raised, however, points of great difiieulty and responsibility. He agreed with the Archbishop of Canterbury that it was our duty to inquire into the accuracy of the statements which had been made. The primary difficulty from the political standpoint was that while we stood for religious liberty and against religious persecution we had to consider the matter from the constitutional position and allow in other countries the same liberty in matters of internal and domestic policy that we claimed for ourselves. It had been made the basis of any agreement which might be made between Russia and ourselves that we should not interest ourselves in matters of internal or domestic concern. The Government, in common with all parties in this country, was fundamentally opposed, to any form of religious persecution, and it desired to promote by every legitimate means the sacred cause of freedom for all forms 01 religious thought and action, but it must be very careful what it did so that m the result it did not do injury by increasing the persecution of the very persona whom it desired to protect. Lord Parmoor added that the Foreign Secretary would do all he could in the matter, and he read a statement made by Air Henderson on the subject in the House of Commons. RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN RUSSIA. THOUSAND PUT TO DEATH. LONDON, February 14. (Received Feb. 15, at 0.15 a.m.) I- was stated recently on the authority of a high ecclesiastic of the R .ssian Church that 31 bishops, 1560 clergy, 7000 monks and nuns h»:ve geen pu. to death. M. Kerensky says that 2000 churches were closed last year.